14 July 2025

Xiaohongshu Advertising Strategy

(2025 Edition Part 1)

Xiaohongshu is trending again!

It recently formed strategic partnerships with JD.com and Alibaba, launching the “Red Cat Plan” and “Red Jing Plan.” To grow its community e-commerce, Xiaohongshu also introduced a new feature called the “Blue Link in Comment Section.”

Today, having a Xiaohongshu strategy is essential for every brand. If you want to succeed in marketing, you need to know how to use Xiaohongshu effectively.


Marketing expert Kuang Ren will now break down the Top 10 practical SOPs (standard operating procedures) for success on Xiaohongshu.

1. Make products
Focus on Products, Not Brands


On Xiaohongshu, success comes from promoting hot-selling single products (SPU), not the brand itself. For example, instead of advertising “photography services,” promote a specific product like “Christmas-themed photo shoots.” The more specific the product, the higher the chance it goes viral. This approach works across all industries focus on one standout product with a clear selling point.

2. Find Your Target Users with Smart Data

 

Instead of just targeting obvious audiences (e.g. fashion lovers for clothing), Xiaohongshu allows brands to find new potential users using first-party data.

Tools like Yifang Data help identify overlapping interests and reach untapped groups. For example, the app Zhuanzhuan stopped promoting second-hand phones and instead marketed second-hand guitars, appealing to hobbyists in top-tier cities. The campaign theme “Adults can also have a three-minute passion” resonated deeply and attracted new users.

Key takeaway: Don’t rely only on direct interests use data to explore unexpected audiences.

 

3. Explore Usage Scenarios with Lingxi

 

After finding your product (SPU) and target users, the next step is to link your product to multiple real-life scenarios.

 

Use Xiaohongshu’s Lingxi platform to discover what else your audience cares about. These interests can inspire new content themes.

For example, Brand about pillows found that users interested in its pillows also cared about business trips, home life, parenting, and skincare. So they created content like:

  • “Travel pillow for business trips”
  • “Relaxation essential for home”
  • “Pillow for parents and kids”
  • “Pillow that reduces wrinkles”

     

Key idea: The more scenarios you create, the more ways your product can connect with users.

 

4. Choose the Right Influencers – Quality Over Follower Count

 

Xiaohongshu doesn’t rely heavily on top-tier influencers like other platforms. Instead of just looking at follower size or average stats from the “Pugongying” platform, focus on the quality of their branded content.

Tips:

1. Check branded post performance – Compare how their sponsored posts perform vs. regular content. Big gaps can be a red flag.

2. Check product integration – Good posts make the product essential to the content. Avoid creators who barely feature the product.

3. Budget allocation

 

  • For brand awareness: invest more in top-tier KOLs
  • For product seeding/recommendation: focus on mid-to-small KOLs
  • General rule: Don’t spend more than 30% of your budget on top-tier influencers.

Key point: Pick KOLs with strong, relevant branded content not just big numbers.

 

5. Create Content – Add Emotion to Product Selling Points

 

Successful Xiaohongshu content isn’t just about titles and covers. The winning formula is:

Product Highlight + Usage Scenario + Emotional Value

Example: Brand about headphones highlight features like bone conduction, waterproofing, and long battery life. They connect these with real-life use (morning runs, cycling, swimming, office breaks) and add emotional meaning:

  • “Running isn’t everything, it’s my mental freedom.”
  • “Healing my mind through the water while swimming.”

Key idea: Great content starts with strong product features, but emotional storytelling makes it truly powerful.

Thank you for exploring our content. We aim to provide valuable insights into the Chinese market to aid your decision-making and support your business at every step.

Our blog is your resource for Chinese marketing tips and Chinese market guidance. Contact us with questions or for more service details below.

Website: www.mmgthailand.com
Tel: 06-3167-8206
Email: info@mmgthailand.com
FB: MMG Thailand
IG: mmg_thailand

About MMG Thailand:

MMG Thailand is the first and only Chinese-owned Chinese marketing company in Thailand that aims to connect Sino-Thai cultures and power partners’ success. 

We:

  • are from mainland China, based in Thailand
  • provide real-time Chinese market information
  • represent the highest standards of industry professionals
  • customize all solutions and plans
  • offer a friendly budget and flexible financial terms
  • continue delivering good results

 

We’re committed to providing deep insights into the rapidly changing Chinese market and leveraging our rich experience to facilitate your growth in this dynamic environment.

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